ABSTRACT
Language study is a way to counteract single stories because it provides opportunities for students to dig deeply and develop multiple points of view. Much has been written about the importance of readers understanding that meaning is not literally "in" a text, but is transacted by readers as a result of their background knowledge and what they bring to the text. The discussion component of language study is essential as it provides opportunities for students to hear other perspectives and to rethink their initial ideas. Knowing that they will have a chance to talk about what they are reading has also been shown to motivate students to read more books. Being a critical reader means that one is consciously aware of how authors use language to privilege certain perspectives and marginalize others. Instead of attempting to figure out what language and grammar might be doing to people or making them believe students simply analyse the mechanics of the text.
